It is not always easy to know how to make your garden more sustainable but with some creative thinking, it is probably easier than you think. Here are some fantastic tips to make your outside space more environmentally responsible:

Avoid chemicals - Avoid chemical pesticides, as these can be harmful for your local ecology. They reduce diversity and ecosystems. Instead of chemicals, use biological pesticides that won’t affect plants and insects that aren’t your intended target. Sure, you may want bugs to stop eating your vegetables, but don’trisk damaging everything else in the garden. Here are some tips to tackle pests naturally.

Collect rainwater – If you live in a particularly dry area, you may suffer from droughts. We all need to be water conscious and be aware of how much we are taking from the public supply. Installing a barrel into your garden is a great way to collect rainwater that you can use to water your lawn and plants.

Ditch the lawnmower – If you use a gas-powered lawnmower you are emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A way to avoid this is to use a manual mower, which is admittedly more difficult, and time consuming, but it is great exercise. Another option is to let your lawn grow wild - consider cultivating a meadow, which requires little maintenance and is beautifully natural. Click here for some tips on creating a wildflower meadow.

Think about your lighting – Think about how your garden lighting is powered. Many of us want our outside spaces illuminated at night so we can enjoy an evening in the open-air. However, it is important to consider the carbon usage of standard lighting. Use solar-powered lighting instead.

Use lime mortar – If you are building or constructing anything in your garden, think about the cement you use. Traditional cement is not easily recyclable but lime mortar, on the other hand, is. This means that future generations will benefit from being able to recycle materials instead of it ending up in landfill.

Use compost – Compost is a life-giver to any garden. Establish a compost heap or bin in your garden to store your organic household waste. It will decompose in the bin and in the process release a myriad of nutrients that plants and flowers love. Once it is fully decomposed, use it on your soil near your plants. It will help everything in your garden grow, and in a purely natural way. It is the best source for feeding your garden.

There are many reasons to have decorative houseplants in your home, and not all of them are so obvious. But the benefits are plentiful. Perfect for what could be considered functional decorating, houseplants not only brighten a space and create a more relaxing atmosphere, they also purify the air by producing oxygen while absorbing toxins. Houseplants are also good for your health in other ways, as studies have linked their presence to reduced stress and tension which leads to a feeling of well-being, calmness and lower blood pressure.

So which are the best plants to have in your space? Which bring the best combination of being aesthetically pleasing but also purify the air and are easy to take care of? Here’s a look at some of the best indoor plants:

Aloe Plant – Best known for its gel that contains a number of healing properties, it also helps clean the air of pollutants found in chemical cleaning products.

English Ivy – Not only is it easy to grow and adaptable, NASA scientists listed it as the best air-filtering houseplant and most effective at absorbing formaldehyde.

African Violet – Among the most popular and easiest flowering houseplant to grow which also blooms year-round with little effort.

Peace Lilly – This elegant easy-care plant doesn’t require too much sun and has many varieties that bloom throughout the year. They also combat the three of most common VOCs — formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.

Snake Plant – Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant doesn’t need much light or water and absorbs carbon dioxide while producing oxygen at night. It’s one of the best at filtering formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning and personal care products, making it great for the bathroom.

Bamboo Palm – This attractive plant thrives in shady places and often produces flowers with small berries. Among the best plants at filtering out both benzene and trichloroethylene.

Philodendron – A hardy plant that can withstand low levels of sunlight and neglect if you don’t exactly have a green thumb.

Spider Plant - This decorative and resilient plant with rich foliage and tiny white flowers is hard to kill. It also made NASA’s list of best air-purifying plants.

Red-Edged Dracaena – A beautiful, vibrant plant brings a pop of color with its red edges and can grow to reach the ceiling, making it great for decorating and filling up large spaces.

Golden Pathos –This fast-growing plant grows easily in cool places with low levels of light and will grow in cascading vines. Great for combating formaldehyde.

Status updates:What is your favorite indoor plant in your home? Click here to see if it made this list. Did you know many houseplants can purify the air of toxins? Click here for a list of great indoor plants. Looking for a beautiful indoor plant that’s also tough to kill? Click here for great indoor plant ideas.

In 1992, South Bay residents with professions in business, horticulture and landscape design got together with a local organization called V.O.I.C.E. (Volunteers and Organizations Improving the Community’s Environment). Concern over the environment brought them together, and they came up with an idea of how to teach resource conservation to the community in a fun and positive way. Their creation was the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden.

The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden is an educational tool in the community to build awareness and solutions for sustainable gardening techniques that use the California native plants in a pursuit to conserve our natural resources. A non-profit public education organization, they provide tours, classes, volunteer opportunities and Sunday bird walks, in addition to the free garden that anyone can enjoy for free from dusk until dawn.

Take a tourTo learn more about the Garden and organization, tours are offered per request. Individuals can receive a tour during our Friday work day between 9:30 am and 11:30 am or group tours can be arranged for other times.

Volunteerriday morning 9:30-11:30 am

Take a classSome classes have included “Success with succulents,” “How to compost the garden,” and “Sustainable Landscaping.” See their website for the most up to date schedules.

Sunday Bird WalksDuring the last three years over 130 different bird species have been recorded in Polliwog Park. Learn to ID these birds by sight and sound.

Enjoy wildlifeBecause MBBG incorporates only water-wise plants including many CA natives, and practices Earth-friendly gardening prohibiting chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, it has earned a Certified Wildlife Habitat designation by the National Wildlife Federation. Different birds, insects and other critters can be seen.

Adventures are great. It would be awesome to be able to go on a daily adventure, but this often costs much more than most of us can afford. Also, if you’re in the middle of an urban center such as Los Angeles, you will be hard-pressed to find a patch of pristine nature where you can enjoy fresh air. Thus, it all comes down to finding budget-friendly places you can travel to and have a great time, regardless of your budget.Thankfully, there are secluded spots near Los Angeles that are perfect for frolicking and spending your time enjoying the green. One of these spots is Hermosa Beach and its surrounding area as it has something for people of all ages.

Descanso GardensNature lovers will thrive in this wonderful botanical garden spreading across 150 acres of land in Southern California and open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. Located just 20 minutes away fromdowntown Los Angeles, Descanso Gardens boasts the largest collection of camellias. Tea lovers will find bliss in the Japanese tea garden, while bird watchers will relish the thought of observing the abundance of bird species found in the vicinity.

Enchanted Railroad is the exact replica of a diesel train the kids will absolutely love. Boddy House is the mansion of the previous owner and founder of the garden, E. Manchester Boddy and a great example of architectural designs prevalent at the time. Note that the garden has certain restrictions regarding equipment and, if you’re planning on heavy-duty photography, you ought to call (818) 949-4200 and inquire on the limitations.

Switzer Falls Hiking TrailLocated at the Angeles National Forest, this hiking trail is shrouded in shade and provides a wonderful refreshment during hot summer days. This forest is brimming with wildlife, and you can see it on every step of the trail.Snap a couple of picture when you encounter an enchanting view and make sure to bring along a swimsuit, testing out the waters found at Upper Switzer Trails.

The Getty CenterHome of the Getty Villa, the Getty Center offers a wonderful exhibit of art and architecture to curious visitors. If you’re into picnicking, then you’re in for a treat, as the Getty Center boasts beautiful views and wide grass lawns. The villa itself houses Greek and Roman artifacts, including statues and paintings from both Greek and Roman art styles. However, do note that the Getty Villa requires an advance reservation and, though there is no admission fee, parking is $15.

Balboa ParkRound up your visit to Hermosa Beach by visiting Balboa Park and taking a spin on the legendary carousel, built way back when in 1910. This is where Dr. Seuss allegedly used to come to find inspiration for his works. Once you see the wonders in the Desert Garden or walk through the Museum of Man, you will see why. In short, there is always a fun and interesting place to be found, just around the corner, and such a place near Los Angeles is most definitely Hermosa Beach.

Next time you're out and about with the family in South Bay, put the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier on your list of things to see.

The Roundhouse is a non-profit organization committed to promoting the study of the oceans, beaches and marine life of Southern California and the impact humans have on the environment. A visit is free, along with a suggested donation, and the unique experience is one kids won't get anywhere else.

The aquarium features rotating displays and exhibits, as well as a shark tank, a living reef tank and a tide pool touch tank with species native to Southern California that you actually get to touch, like starfish, sharks, eels and other fish. While the aquarium is small and quaint, it is also more than a diversion for the little ones, it's a great opportunity to learn about the world around them.

Roundhouse also hosts a number of classes, parties, field trips and community events held regularly throughout the year focused on education and learning about the environment, including festivities like a Fun Run, Coastal Cleanup Day and Manhattan Beach Cleanup and Heal the Bay IPA Tasting. One of the biggest events is the eight weeks of Science Summer Camp, where kids ages 4-10 can dig for sand crabs, build sand sculptures and learn about the ocean and marine animals.

Between the mortgage, home inspection, and other elements of buying your first home, insurance is probably the last thing on your mind. However, home insurance is an important part of your purchase in the short term and the long term.

Here’s what you need to go know to get the best policy for your home and your budget.

What Does Home Insurance Cover? At a basic level, home insurance covers a few major areas related to your home:

Dwelling coverage: This is the home itself

Personal property: The possessions within your home

Other property: Garages or other structures on your property

Liability coverage: If a guest or visitor to your home suffers an injury, this covers medical costs or other associated expenses

Additional living expenses: If your home is damaged to the point of being unlivable, this will cover alternate accommodations

When to Buy Home Insurance

It might seem counterintuitive to purchase home insurance before you complete the purchase on your home, but you are required to bring proof of insurance to closing. As soon as you sign the papers at closing, the house is yours, and you need to be prepared in the event something happens — no matter how unlikely it might seem.

Start looking online for insurance quotes a few weeks before your closing date. This is a good opportunity to review your existing auto insurance, life insurance, or other policies to look for opportunities to bundle and save money on a combined policy with one company.

How to Pay for Home Insurance

Once your policy is in place, home insurance will be rolled into your monthly mortgage payment. Specifically, it will be paid using funds from your escrow account.

The amount you’ll pay varies based on your location and the home you buy, but an average policy costs around $1,000 per year. Depending on your insurance company, you may be eligible for discounts over time.

This figure is important to keep in mind as you are working on your budget as a new homeowner. You might not be able to afford as much house as you think once you add insurance, taxes, and other fees!

Whether you want to be environmentally conscious or just save some money, reducing your energy consumption is never a bad idea. There are a few simple things you can do right now to start seeing lower numbers on your energy bills each month:

Install (and use) energy efficient appliancesUsing Energy STAR-certified appliances will save on your electric bill and your water bill. Nearly all appliances on the market today are Energy STAR certified, which means they are designed by the Environmental Protection Agency as being energy efficient.

Buying a new washer, dryer, refrigerator, or dishwasher will be an initial investment up front, but these appliances will eventually pay for themselves through the savings each month. As a bonus, using a dishwasher in general is much more energy efficient than washing dishes by hand.

Remove phantom loadsDid you know that your appliances, electronics, and other items in electrical outlets continue to draw electricity even when they are not turned on? In fact, they use up to 75 percent of their overall power to keep clocks, timers, and other settings functioning.

Simply unplug anything you do not need when it’s not in use and watch your energy bill drop. Amp up the savings even more by combining electronics in a power strip and turning everything off at once.

Fill your fridge and freezerThis might seem counterintuitive, but your refrigerator and freezer actually run more efficiently when they are full. Food and other items act as insulation to keep the entire space cold, which means less time that the appliance has to run.

Look at this as an opportunity to buy in bulk if you can and save a little money on your grocery bill, too. If that’s not an option for you, don’t go out and buy unneeded items just to save space. Instead, add bags of ice to the freezer or containers of water to the fridge to take up the extra room.

Buying a home is about much more than the listing price. From taxes to insurance, there are several things you’ll be expected to pay that you might not realize. Planning for them now will help you avoid adding more stress to the process or encountering a surprise once you sign on the dotted line.

Property TaxesProperty taxes are a necessary evil for all homeowners. They are used to fund local schools and a variety of other government programs and services in the city or town where your home is located.

The tax rate is set by your state and is calculated annually based on your home’s assessed value. Funds are typically taken out of an escrow account that you establish when you buy a home, so you might not even know that they are happening.

Homeowners InsuranceMuch like car insurance protects your vehicle in the case of an accident, homeowners insurance does the same thing for your house in the event of a natural disaster, fire, or other event that damages your property.

Like property taxes, the cost varies based on where you live and how disaster-prone the area is. You might be able to save a little money by bundling your homeowners insurance with your car insurance or life insurance through the same company.

Private Mortgage Interest (PMI)PMI is required for anyone who buys a home with a down payment less than 20 percent — which, let’s face it, is most homebuyers these days. It protects the bank or mortgage lender in the event that you default on the loan.

Paying a few hundred extra dollars per month might seem like a nuisance, but it can pay off in the long run if you make a worthwhile investment on your home.UtilitiesThis one seems simple but is worth mentioning as a reminder. As a homeowner, you will be responsible for all of your utilities (water, electricity, heating, etc.) and associated bills like Internet and cable.

Chances are, your new home is larger than where you lived previously, so plan to have some wiggle room in your budget until you see how things play out in your new space.

Homeowners Association (HOA) FeesFinally, if your new home is part of a community with a homeowners association, you’ll need to pay the associated HOA fees. These fees range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month and most commonly cover maintenance of the community’s common areas — lawn care, snow removal, etc.

In some higher-priced communities, HOA fees may also cover community event spaces or even things like on-site fitness facilities. Again, it’s important to know what these fees are upfront so you can work them into your budget and leave some wiggle room to enjoy your new home!

The idea of going "green" isn't new for many home owners. Luckily, it's getting easier each year to reduce the environmental footprint of your home and energy bills at the same time. Even better, being environmentally friendly doesn't always have to be expensive. In some cases, swapping out some simple household items or making small changes can make a big difference.

Here are 10 upgrades to consider:

Programmable thermostatThis small measure can save 10 to 15 percent on your bills and is eco-friendly, since you won't be heating or cooling your home when you're gone or not using certain floors.

LED light bulbsLighting accounts for about 12 percent of home energy costs, so switch to CFL or LED bulbs, which can last for 10 years – or 25 percent longer than a traditional bulb.

Seal windowsIf you don't have the budget for energy-efficient windows, there are less expensive options. Add storm windows as a low-cost alternative, and stop the air leaks with weather stripping and caulking. Air leakage can add 30 percent to heating and cooling costs.

Water heater tipsBeyond switching to an Energy Star model or tankless water heater, installing an insulating jacket around the tank can eliminate up to 40 percent of heat loss. Turn down the water heater to 120 degrees for extra savings.

Save on drinking waterInvest $30 in a water-filtering pitcher or faucet attachment to save hundreds yearly on bottled water, and keep plastic out of the landfills.

Heating and coolingHeating and cooling account for nearly half of home energy usage. Tune your HVAC system yearly, change filters monthly and seal ducts and air vents, which can improve efficiency by 20 percent and more.

Add insulationNew insulation that is right for your climate will offer a return on your investment over time, as you could be losing up to 20 percent of your heated or cooled air.

Low VOC paintPaint is inexpensive, so next time opt for low VOC (volatile organic compounds) options that don't contain chemicals that contribute to air pollution and respiratory problems.

Watch how you cleanSwitching to eco-friendly cleaning products is easy, and eliminate paper towels by using cloth towels. If you're ambitious, replace toxic cleaning solutions with natural alternatives like lemons, vinegar and baking soda.

The toiletThe main source of water use in a home, a toilet accounts for nearly 30 percent of residential water consumption. A high-efficiency toilet can save $2,000 over its lifetime and could save nearly 2 billion gallons per day across the country.

With its setting along the Pacific Ocean on the upscale West Side of Los Angeles, Marina del Rey is every bit the picturesque Southern California community. And the focal point of this seaside town, the source of many of its best activities and views, is the famous Marina.

The Marina has some history behind it. A project of the Army Corps of Engineers that was completed in 1965, it is the largest man-made marina in the United States with more than 5,000 boat slips. The Marina was actually years in the making – the location was first targeted as a major harbor as far back as 1887. Two World Wars and many development attempts later, the Marina came to life as a popular destination for outdoor recreation, water sports, fishing, dining and tourism. You can read much more about the history of the Marina here.

The Marina today is a draw for locals, tourists and visitors from other parts of Los Angeles. There is a lot to do and see, so here’s a quick look at what you need to know about your next visit.

What to seeThe Marina is an ideal location to (literally) watch the ships come in, catch a great view of the sunset or use as a home base to explore. Take a stroll down to the Venice Pier, walk the beaches around the Marina or visit local favorites like the Fisherman’s Village or Burton Chase Park, which offers many events and one of the best vistas in the area. Check out Tripadvisor.com or Wikitravel.org for more ideas.

What to doWhere do you start? Rent a bike, try paddle boarding, go deep sea sport fishing or visit the nearby Abbott Kinney Boulevard District for shopping. Check out these outdoor recreation ideas or visit one of the many rental operations that are clustered along the waterfront where you can try parasailing, kayaking or a whale watching tour.

Where to eatIf you’re close to the Marina, you are also close to a number of dining choices within walking distance, from fine dining to cafes to local neighborhood hangouts. Many of the options are on the waterfront, and you can enjoy nearly year-round outside dining. VisitMarinadelRey.com lets you click through sort-able dining options, or check out sites like Yelp and Urbanspoon to find what others rate the highest.

Where to StayDue to its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport as well as the Venice Pier, there are many places to stay close to the Marina, including major brands like Hilton, Marriott and Ritz-Carlton. Check out options on Wikitravel as well as VisitMarinadelRey.com.

What is your favorite reason to visit Marina del Rey? Take a look at what to do around the Marina.Have you visited the Marina in Marina del Rey lately? Click here for more.What is your favorite on-the-water activity? Take a trip to the Marina in Marina del Rey.